Coleen Rooney has expressed her relief as the long-standing legal battle with Rebekah Vardy, known as the "Wagatha Christie" case, has finally reached a conclusion. On May 6, 2025, a judge ruled that Vardy must pay Rooney at least £1.4 million in legal costs following their high-profile libel trial.
In a statement released on her social media on May 7, 2025, Rooney stated, "The ruling yesterday in my favour finally brings this claim to an end, it's a relief and brings closure for my family and I." She added, "Throughout this long process, I am grateful that the judgments have consistently gone my way. However, as I have always maintained, this claim did not need to be made or run for as long as it did. The time and money should have been put to better use."
Rebekah Vardy, 42, was ordered to pay £1,190,000 towards Coleen's legal fees, in addition to £212,266 in assessment costs, bringing the total amount she owes to at least £1,402,266.20. Vardy has already made partial payments, including £800,000 four years ago and £100,000 last year.
Rooney's legal costs had initially exceeded £1.8 million while she successfully defended herself against Vardy's claims in 2022. The court heard that Vardy's barrister, Juliet Wells, described the total legal bill of £1,833,906.89 as "substandard" and argued that the additional £315,000 in assessment costs claimed by Rooney was "grossly disproportionate" and should be capped at £100,000.
Costs Judge Mark Whalan, who presided over the case, stated that he was "generally happy" with the outcome, describing it as a "commercially satisfactory conclusion for both sides". However, he also noted that there had been "extraordinary expenditure of costs" from both parties.
Neither Vardy nor Rooney attended the remote hearing, but Whalan indicated that both women could now put the matter behind them. A source close to Vardy mentioned that she felt a huge relief that the long legal battle was finally coming to an end, and she is now focused on future plans.
The infamous feud between the two began in October 2019 when Rooney accused Vardy of leaking stories about her private life to the press. In a dramatic social media post, Rooney claimed she had conducted a "sting operation" to identify the source of the leaks, which included false stories about her traveling to Mexico for a "gender selection" procedure and her planning to return to television.
After initially denying the allegations, Vardy launched a libel case against Rooney in June 2020, claiming she had suffered significant distress and damage to her reputation as a result of Rooney's post. The case went through several preliminary hearings, with Judge Warby ruling that Rooney's post had clearly identified Vardy as having breached trust by leaking information.
During the trial, explosive messages between Vardy and her agent Caroline Watt were revealed, suggesting that they were involved in leaking information to the press. Ultimately, in July 2022, Mrs. Justice Steyn ruled in Rooney's favor, concluding that it was likely that Watt had passed information to The Sun and that Vardy was aware of and condoned this behavior.
In her post following the recent ruling, Rooney thanked her legal team, family, and friends for their support throughout the ordeal. She expressed gratitude for the public's well-wishes and stated, "This episode is not something that I ever wanted in my life. However, I am thankful for the way my family and team have dealt with it. We look forward to moving on with our lives."
As the dust settles on this high-profile legal saga, it appears both women are ready to move forward. Vardy's future plans reportedly include a potential move to the U.S. with her husband, Jamie, amid ongoing discussions for a television role.
The Wagatha Christie case has captivated the public's attention for over six years, showcasing not only the complexities of celebrity culture but also the significant costs associated with high-stakes legal battles. With the conclusion of this case, both Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy can now focus on their respective futures, leaving behind a chapter that has been both tumultuous and highly publicized.
